New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-24
FATAL GAS EXPLOSION IN A NINE.

TuRFE MEN INSTANTLY KIILED-THREE OTHERS
FATALLY INJURED-THEIR BODIES BURNED AND
DIsPIGURED.
wIIKEsBARRE, Penn, juno % (speciat.-Another
awful mine accident occurred at Nanticoke this morn
ing Three killed instantly another has since
died fifth s at deaths door, and u sixth Is likely to
de- The entire town is excited because OF the disaster
snce tho fatal 18th of December 1885, when twentyx
men and boys imprisoned by cave ana whose
bodies still lie mouldering In the Arsenal ChamDer'
accident occurred in Nanticoke until that OF
this morning. and though the death rate Is less the ex
citement to-day is fully great as on the memorable
occasion two and half years ago. The accident was
caused by explosion OF gas In what manner no one
will in all probability know At o'clock last eve
ming six men engaged In the minc, and this morn
ing all brought out by their comrades three dead
and the other badly injured that their lives were
despaired Of The Of those who were instantly
killed are John McMadamn age forty leaves wife and
three small children, resided Green-st; James
Kelley age twenty four single also resident OF Green
ST.; Lotsy vinoski, laborcr working for Keeley age
twenty-eight and unmarried The injured were Joseph
Lesseps driver boy age eighteen Barney Lezekoski
door tender, age John Lezekoski age nineteen
door tender. Another man. Norman Thowas, was also
badly burned but will The probabilities are
that all the injured with the exception OF Thomas VIII
die One OF them Joseph Lesseps, died at noon to-day
The others are and liable to die Mt any
moment II is impossible totell just how the acciden.
occurred. The men were during the night driving
gangway in No. slope. At few minutes before
o'clock rested and the tool chest for the pu
pose OF partakng of lunch The fire boss John WIZ
ams passed through few minutes previously ana re-
ported everything all right At O'Clock Joe essens,
the driver boy. passed by with car and mule Inc
explosion followed Immediately. All the men who were
on the tool chest killed instantly The driver hoy
stunned and the mule which nc was drlNing , "as
killed The boy fell under the in whicn position nc
was found an hour later. He died at noon to-day as
stated. .
The suppositon Is that the workmen had tapped what
IL known IN mining parlanUe blower. aud that the
gas from this spread throughout the chamber aud com
ing in contact with the naxed lamp Ot the car driver VINO
was passing by, exploded with deadly effect Inc cOt-
ing was burned of their bodies and all the victims were
SO disfgured that recognition al0smt impossible
The stable boss. Thomas j. Lohman. who was hair mc
away at the time. heard the explosion and hurried 10
the fatal chamber He found the tnrce dead and the
others dying and gave the alarm IL was long afe day
light when the bodies brought out by that tiinc
great crowd has gathered at the mouth OF the SLOPE
was sad scene when the bodies were brought 20 tne
surface Men and and little children wrungsthelr
hands agony and moaned pltfully as the cless FORM
OF n loved one was bornc from the mine Coroner
Mahon was notified by Mine Inspector Williams To hold
an inquest and will go Nantcoke morrow morning
for purpose Until the inquest Is held II Is probable
that the real OF the disaster will not be fully ex
plained.